Speed Of, Pressure In, Or Position Of One Output Motor Or Motor Section Controls Another Patents (Class 60/426)
  • Patent number: 6240353
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an industrial vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has a rear axle that is swingable during straight travel of the vehicle and can be fixed during turning of the vehicle. A damper looks or unlocks the rear axle. A controller has a memory that stores a first value and a second value of an angular velocity rate that represents an angular velocity per unit time. The controller activates or deactivates the damper. The controller activates the damper to lock the rear axle when the angular velocity rate is greater than the first value. The controller deactivates the damper to unlock the rear axle when the angular velocity rate is kept smaller than the second value for a predetermined time period after the angular velocity rate has become smaller than the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuo Ishikawa, Masaya Hyodo
  • Patent number: 6186198
    Abstract: A feller-buncher includes a work tool having a hydraulically powered blade. The feller-buncher also includes a first axle having a number of first wheels attached thereto and a first hydraulic motor operable to rotate the first axle. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to both the work tool and the first hydraulic motor. Yet further, the feller-buncher includes a load sensing circuit for sensing a load on the work tool when the work tool is contacting a tree. The first hydraulic pump is configured to adjust hydraulic fluid flow to the first hydraulic motor based on the load on the work tool sensed by the load sensing circuit. A method for operating a feller-buncher is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Holmes
  • Patent number: 6173573
    Abstract: A first object of the present invention is to make do with a simple hydraulic circuit, which does not utilize a pressure compensation valve, and to enable the use of an inexpensive, low-precision pressure detector, to enable the maintenance of continuous control at all times using simple controls, and to get by without shocking the operator or the mechanical parts, and to cancel the load dependency of a hydraulic actuator flow during combined operation without limiting the control system of the hydraulic pump. In a device according to the present invention, a correction factor for correcting an control input of a operating member corresponding to a pertinent operating valve is calculated for each operating member on the basis of a ratio between a detected differential pressure across an operating valve, and a minimum differential pressure selected from among detected differential pressures across a plurality of operating valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Kamada
  • Patent number: 6134887
    Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for, for example, working members of earth-moving machines such as backhoe loaders. A first and a second control section (9,10) are coupled to first and second linear hydraulic actuators (1,2; 3-8) through respective first a second hydraulic spool valves (21,22; 23-28), and supply (11) of a hydraulic fluid under pressure is connected in parallel with the two control sections (9,10) via a feed line (13). A load sensing circuit (16) is associated with the first and second spool valves. The control circuit includes a series-parallel connection circuit (36) of the load sensing circuit (16), and additional optional devices ensuring a higher operative functionality of the working members of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventors: Elio Bertotti, Giovanni Maria Testa
  • Patent number: 6082106
    Abstract: A hydraulic device comprises a variable displacement pump, a plurality of hydraulic actuators, a plurality of directional valves capable of controlling the delivery oil flowing into each of the actuators, a plurality of pressure compensation valves which compensate the pressures of respective directional valves, and a delivery oil flow rate varying means capable of controlling the pump delivery. At least one of the pressure compensation valves decreases its output flow to a particular actuator according to an increase in the loaded pressure of the particular actuator. With this arrangement, if the loaded pressure of the particular actuator suddenly changes, the loaded pressure attenuates to ensure stable operation of the hydraulic device. Further, the stable operation is fee of hunting for both low-load actuators and high load actuators, regardless of an independent operation or a compound operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 6050090
    Abstract: Pressure sensors sense a pilot pressure Pa corresponding to the amount of boom raising operation of a boom operation lever and a pilot pressure Pb corresponding to the amount of arm pulling operation of an arm operation lever. When the condition of Pa>Pb is met during the horizontal pulling operation, the rate of supply of the working fluid to an arm actuating cylinder is reduced to a rate corresponding to the amount of operation of the operation lever. Conversely, when the condition Pa<Pb is met, the rate of supply of the working fluid to the boom actuating cylinder 5 is reduced to a rate corresponding to the amount of operation of the operating lever. Horizontal pulling operation for levelling the ground can be conducted without requiring high level of skill. The horizontal pulling work can be done easily and smoothly, while preventing the bucket from cutting into the ground and from floating above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Yutaka Tohji
  • Patent number: 6047545
    Abstract: A hydrostatic drive system is provided for a vehicle, in particular an industrial truck having a hydrostatic traction drive system (16), a hydraulic work system (20) and a hydraulic steering system (8). The drive system is compact and the energy utilization in the drive system is improved by providing a hydraulic pump (1) with an adjustable delivery volume working in an open circuit to supply the traction drive system (16), the hydraulic work system (20) and the steering system (8). In one configuration of the invention, there is at least one traction drive control valve (23) in the delivery line (5b) of the pump (1), whereby upstream of the traction drive control valve (23) in the delivery line (5b) of the pump (1) there is a priority valve (18) for the hydraulic work system (20), and upstream of the priority valve (18) of the hydraulic work system (20) there is a priority valve (6) for the steering system (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Deininger
  • Patent number: 6029446
    Abstract: A power machine has a base, an operator support portion, and a hydraulic slew motor coupled to move the operator support portion relative to the base. A boom, an arm, and a tool are all coupled to one another and to the operator support portion and are powered by hydraulic actuators. A slew valve is coupled to receive hydraulic fluid under pressure from a hydraulic power circuit and is also coupled to the slew motor to provide hydraulic fluid to the slew motor and receive hydraulic fluid from the slew motor. A first power actuator valve is coupled to receive hydraulic fluid from the slew valve and is coupled to provide hydraulic fluid to one of the hydraulic boom actuator, the hydraulic arm actuator and the tool actuator. The slew valve is coupled in series with the power actuator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Melroe Company
    Inventors: Gerald J. Duppong, Knute K. Brock, Thomas M. Sagaser
  • Patent number: 6006521
    Abstract: A control circuit for a piece of heavy machinery reduces a speed of one actuator, having a lower load, when that actuator and another actuator, having a higher load, are operated simultaneously. The control circuit includes a first control valve for supplying a first actuator with pressurized oil, discharged from a hydraulic pump; a second control valve for supplying a second actuator with pressurized oil, discharged from the hydraulic pump; operating units for actuating the first control valve and the second control valve; and a mode selector for providing a command to the second control valve in order to increase a speed of the first actuator compared with that of the second actuator when the first and second actuators are operated simultaneously. A variable adjustor can be provided to control the open area of a valve for enabling the stroke of the spool of the second control valve to regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Fuchita, Tomio Teranaka, Fujitoshi Takamura, Harushige Nishida, Kiyokazu Nakabo
  • Patent number: 6003313
    Abstract: A boom and drive train hydraulic system is described having a pressure source, preferably a pump operated by a motor, said pressure source providing hydraulic fluid at a high pressure to a first set of valves used to operate the drive train of the system. The first set of valves is equipped with a power beyond for allowing the hydraulic fluid to flow from the first set of valves to a second set of valves. At the second set of valves a pressure control is provided to reduce the pressure to a desired lower pressure. The second set of valves provides the hydraulic fluid at this reduced pressure to the boom portion of the system. The differential of the pressures is approximately 5,000 psi for the track system and approximately 2,500 psi for the boom system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Johnny Farrar
  • Patent number: 5996342
    Abstract: An anti-stall and bias control for a hydrostatic drive train system is disclosed. The system is used on a hydrostatic drive vehicle with an engine coupled to a first and second hydraulic pump. The first and second hydraulic pumps are coupled to first and second drive motors which drive wheels of the vehicle. The power to the drive motors is controlled by a control unit which output signals proportional to the desired power output from the motors. An engine speed sensor determines the speed of the engine. The control circuit reads the engine speed and determines whether the engine is in a stall condition. If the engine is in a stall condition, the control circuit scales the control signals of the first and second motor to reduce power output. A bias control is also provided to allow the vehicle operator to select greater relative power to either the first or second motor. The bias control outputs a bias signal which is read by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Aftab A. Khan, Peter J. Dix, Alan D. Berger, Richard L. Hall, Rich Lech
  • Patent number: 5953977
    Abstract: In order to accomplish many tasks of a machine efficiently, a motion planning system predetermines the response of the machine to a given set of motion commands. With two or more actuators being driven by a single hydraulic pump, there may not be adequate hydraulic pressure to drive both of the actuators at the speed requested. In order to determine the non-linear response of the actuators and the optimal combination of motions of the moving parts driven by the actuators, a controller for the machine is modeled as a linear dynamic system. The non-linear response of the actuators is modeled using a look-up table that is a function of internal variables of the machine's actuators and hydraulic system. The number of input, or independent, variables that are supplied to the table look-up functions is proportional to the number of actuators being driven by a single pump. Sensors provide data regarding the internal state of each actuator including variables such as spool valve position and cylinder force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Murali Krishna, Stephen V. Lunzman
  • Patent number: 5950429
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid is supplied from a tank to a plurality of actuators by a variable displacement pump which produces an output pressure that is a constant amount greater than a pressure at a control input. A mechanism senses the greatest pressure among the workports to provide a first load-dependent pressure and a second load-dependent pressure which is greater than the first load-dependent pressure when the pump operates a maximum flow capacity. Each valve section includes a pressure compensating valve which controls the fluid flow to the associated actuator in response to a pressure differential between the metering orifice and either the first or second load-dependent pressures. When the pump operates at maximum flow capacity, actuators connected to the valve sections in which the pressure compensating valve responds to the first load-dependent pressure receive the fluid flow on a priority basis as compared to the other valve sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Hamkins
  • Patent number: 5950430
    Abstract: In a construction machine of a small rotational inertia such as an intrawidth swing machine or a small-sized excavator, a rotative operability varies depending on the posture of a working attachment, and in a reduced state of reach, a change in rotating force is oversensitive to the operation of a working lever, so operation is difficult. To cope with this point, means for detecting the operation of a rotating direction control valve is provided, and an outlet of a center bypassing oil path in the rotating direction control valve and an oil tank are brought into communication with each other through a cut-off valve used for controlling the bleed-off thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Yutaka Tohji, Kazuhiko Fujii, Kazuyuki Doi
  • Patent number: 5946910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic circuit for a hydraulically driven working vehicle which allows the vehicle to travel at an almost constant speed during high-speed traveling, provides a great digging force during working, does not need a charging pressure for preventing cavitation, loses a small amount of energy, and has a simple structure. To this end, the hydraulic circuit has a hydraulic travel pump (2) and a working machine hydraulic pump (4) which are driven by the power of an engine (1) for discharging pressurized oil to a HST travel circuit and a working machine-driving hydraulic circuit, respectively, wherein pressurized oil from the working machine hydraulic pump (4) joins pressurized oil from the hydraulic travel pump (2) to effect high-speed traveling, while pressurized oil from the hydraulic travel pump (2) joins pressurized oil in the working machine hydraulic pump (4) to generate a large digging force to effect digging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Seita Hayashi, Sadao Nunotani
  • Patent number: 5937645
    Abstract: A hydraulic device comprises a variable displacement pump, a plurality of hydraulic actuators, a plurality of directional valves capable of controlling the delivery oil flowing into each of the actuators, a plurality of pressure compensation valves which compensate the pressures of respective directional valves, and a pump flow control valve capable of controlling the pump delivery. Each of the pressure compensation valves decreases its output flow to a particular actuator according to an increase in the loaded pressure of the particular actuator. With this arrangement, if the loaded pressure of the particular actuator suddenly changes, the loaded pressure attenuates to ensure stable operation of the hydraulic device. Further, the stable operation is fee of hunting for both low-load actuators and high-load actuators, regardless of an independent operation or a compound operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.
    Inventor: Satoshi Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 5930996
    Abstract: In the arm-crowding or track operation, a calculating portion (700d2 or 700d4) calculates a modification gain (KAC or KTR) depending on an operation pilot pressure and a calculating portion (700g) calculates a decrease modification (DND) based on the KAC or KTR, while a calculating portion (700m or 700p) calculates a modification gain (KACH or KTRH) depending on an operation pilot pressure and calculating portions (700q-700s) calculate an increase modification (DNH) based on the KACH or KTRH. A reference target engine revolution speed NR0 is modified using the DND and DNH. In other operations than the arm-crowding and track operations, NR0 is modified using only the decrease modification (DND) calculated from the modification gain just depending on the operation pilot pressure. In the operation where an engine revolution speed is desired to become higher as an actuator load increases, the engine revolution speed can be controlled in accordance with change of the actuator load as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Nakamura, Ei Takahashi, Tsukasa Toyooka, Kouji Ishikawa, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Yoichi Kowatari, Tadatoshi Shimamura, Genroku Sugiyama, Toichi Hirata
  • Patent number: 5913810
    Abstract: The maintenance device consists of a hydraulic insulation unit (2) mounted between the supply circuits of a cylinder (1). The insulation unit (2) comprises a sluice (9) which has, at each of its two openings, an anti-return valve, one of which, the primary valve (11) is hydraulically connected to the outlet chamber (6) of the shaft (7) of the cylinder (1) and opens toward said chamber; and a safety valve (13) opening in the same direction, with the latter valve closing at a different rate than the primary valve closes. The invention is useful for maintaining the shaft of any cylinder in position, particularly a charged cylinder, and it is of interest to manufacturers of hydraulic devices, particularly lifting cylinders, as well as those who use them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 5881630
    Abstract: A fluid control system for powering vehicle accessories includes a pump for generating a supply flow of hydraulic fluid. The system also includes a fluid valve assembly having a housing which includes an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet defined therein. The inlet is in fluid communication with the supply flow of fluid. The fluid valve assembly provides (1) a first fluid path between the inlet and the first outlet, (2) a second fluid path between the inlet and the second outlet, and (3) a third fluid path between the inlet and the third outlet. The system also includes a fan motor for rotating an engine cooling fan. The fan motor is in fluid communication with the first outlet. Moreover, the system includes a steering control circuit which is in fluid communication with the second outlet. The system further includes a reservoir which is in fluid communication with the third outlet. A method of controlling fluid flow between a plurality of vehicle components is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Buschur, John S. Hill
  • Patent number: 5857330
    Abstract: A travelling control circuit for a hydraulically driven type of travelling apparatus is provided. The circuit has a hydraulic pump, left and right hand side directional control valves provided parallel to each other in a discharge path of the hydraulic pump, a left hand side first and second circuit and a right hand side first and second circuit. Furthermore, the output sides of the left hand side and right hand side directional control valves are connected with a left and right hand side travelling purpose hydraulic motor, respectively. In addition, a pressure compensating valve is provided with each of the first and second circuits to control the opening between an inlet port and an outlet port in response to a difference in pressure between a self load pressure and a maximum load pressure of the load pressures of the left and right hand side travelling purpose hydraulic motors, thereby compensating a pressure in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ishizaki, Toshiro Takano
  • Patent number: 5848531
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a construction machine includes a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover, actuators driven by a hydraulic fluid delivered from the hydraulic pump, flow control valves for controlling flow of the hydraulic fluid to the actuators and operation means for operating the flow control valves. A relief value sets a relief pressure for limiting the maximum delivery pressure of the hydraulic pump and relief pressure change means increase or decrease the relief pressure set by the relief valve. The relief pressure change means automatically increase or decrease the relief pressure in accordance with the input amount of the operation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Toichi Hirata, Genroku Sugiyama, Tsukasa Toyooka, Youichi Kowatari, Kouji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5845494
    Abstract: A lift having a freight-receiving table which is rotatably supported by one or more each of hydraulic lift and tilt cylinders for respectively lifting and tilting the table is controlled such that an overloaded condition of the table is detected by measuring the internal pressure of the tilt cylinder or both the tilt and lift cylinders. If the measured pressure exceeds a pre-determined critical value, the operation of the lift is automatically and immediately stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignees: Pabco Co., Ltd, Nikko Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumi Nishizawa, Yutaka Izumida, Hitoshi Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 5835874
    Abstract: In a region limiting excavation control system for a construction machine, a region where a front attachment (1A) is movable is set beforehand. A control unit (9) calculates the position and posture of the front attachment based on signals from angle sensors (8a-8c), calculates a target speed vector (Vc) of the front attachment based on signals from control lever units (4a, 4b), and modifies the target speed vector such that the target speed vector is maintained as it is when the front attachment is within the set region but not near the boundary thereof. A vector component (Vcy) of the target speed vector in the direction toward the boundary of the set region is reduced when the front attachment is within the set region near the boundary thereof, and the front attachment is returned to the set region and when the front attachment is outside the set region. As a result, the excavation within a limited region can be implemented efficiently and smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toichi Hirata, Eiji Yamagata, Hiroshi Watanabe, Masakazu Haga, Kazuo Fujishima, Hiroyuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 5819534
    Abstract: An aerial lift unit is truck mounted. The lift includes a lower boom pivoted to the truck and an upper boom pivotally connected to the outer end of the first boom. A lower boom cylinder unit is connected to pivot and thereby raise and lower the lower boom. A second tandem cylinder unit consists of first and second cylinders with the head end interconnected and having cylinder rods extending coaxially outwardly from the opposite rod ends. The one cylinder rod is connected to the lower boom and the second piston rod is connected to the base of a V-shaped coupling member having one arm pivotally connected to the lower boom and a second arm is pivotally connected to the upper boom. The second cylinder positions the upper boom in a preset orientation with respect to the lower boom. The first cylinder is connected in a hydraulic supply circuit with the lower boom cylinder and with the hydraulic fluid flow serially through the lift cylinder and second cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Simon-Telelect, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Fischer, Joseph R. Beving, Charles A. Schulte
  • Patent number: 5806312
    Abstract: A multiple hydraulic distributor device, having an antisaturation function wherein flow of hydraulic fluid is divided independently of load, which includes a hydraulic distributor device having a number of distributor devices assigned to controlling respective loads, which are stacked up face to face against each other as a stack and individually arranged in such a way that the stack has a common line passing through the stack for supplying working fluid under pressure originating from a source including a pump associated with a flow/pressure control device, a common return line for returning working fluid to a tank, and a common transmission line for transmitting control fluid at a pressure of highest load towards the control device for controlling the pump; a shut-off device arranged in the transmission line between a first group of distributors for which the transmission line is connected to the flow/pressure control device for controlling the source, and at least a second group of distributors for which t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth S.A.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kauss, Emmanuel Remi Jean-Marie Richer
  • Patent number: 5802848
    Abstract: A motor vehicle hydraulic system including a power steering pump, a reservoir, a steering assist fluid motor, and a second fluid motor for a radiator cooling fan. A flow control valve remote from the power steering pump divides the total fluid flow from the power steering pump into a high flow branch and a low flow branch. Fluid circulates in the low flow branch at a substantially constant flow rate for a proportional control valve for the steering assist fluid motor and returns to the reservoir through an unrestricted tubular boss on the reservoir. Fluid in the high flow branch issues as a jet stream from a nozzle on the reservoir into a venturi passage submerged in fluid in the reservoir. The venturi passage is connected to an inlet port of the power steering pump. The jet stream aspirates fluid from the reservoir into the venturi passage. The kinetic energy of the jet stream is converted into superatmospheric pressure at the inlet port of the power steering pump to suppress cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Mark McClendon, James Leroy Davison, Robert Edward Beyerlein, Tom Cheuk-In Wong, Allan Lee Dickinson, Albert Cheuk-Yin Wong, Carl David Tarum, James Michael Shea, David Fredrick Hammerbacher
  • Patent number: 5752384
    Abstract: The present invention proceeds from a control arrangement for at least two hydraulic consumers which has a positive displacement pump the setting of which is variable by a load-sensing regulator which can be acted on via a load-signaling line by the highest load pressure, on which a maximum-pressure and an output regulation are superimposed, two displaceable metering diaphragms a first one of which is connected between the positive displacement pump and a first hydraulic consumer and the second between the positive displacement pump and a second hydraulic consumer, and two pressure compensators a first one of which is arranged behind the first metering diaphragm and the second behind the second metering diaphragm and the regulating pistons of which can be acted on, in opening direction on a front side, by the pressure behind the corresponding metering diaphragm and in closing direction on the rear side by the pressure in the load-signaling line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Martin Schmitt, Thomas Weickert
  • Patent number: 5737993
    Abstract: An apparatus for controllably moving a work implement is disclosed. The implement is connected to a work machine and is moveable in response to operation of a hydraulic cylinder. The apparatus includes an operator controlled joystick. A joystick position sensor senses the position of the joystick and responsively generates an operator command signal, which is indicative of a desired velocity. A velocity sensor senses the velocity of the lift cylinder and tilt cylinders and responsively producing respective cylinder velocity signals. A microprocessor receives the cylinder velocity and operator command signals, determines the difference between the actual and desired cylinder velocity, and responsively produces an electrical valve signal in response to the velocity difference. An electrohydraulic valve receives the electrical valve signal, and controllably provides hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic cylinder in response to a magnitude of the electrical value signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cobo, John D. Duffy
  • Patent number: 5724878
    Abstract: In a hydraulic operating mechanism for a convertible top, a pressure sensor (12) is incorporated into a common pressure circuit (P) of the hydraulic cylinders (1 through 4) and connected with a control unit which is connected to the switching elements (V1 through V4) of the hydraulic cylinders (1 through 4), and its output signal in relation to time, together with the preset switching sequences of the individual switching elements (V1 through V4), serves to control the end positions of the individual hydraulic cylinders (1 through 4). The control can thus be incorporated in the operating mechanism without expensive separate end position switches at each hydraulic cylinder (1 through 4) or appurtenant actuation element, simplifying the overall design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignees: Hoerbiger GmbH, Bara Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stolle, Ulrich Baudermann
  • Patent number: 5701793
    Abstract: An apparatus for controllably moving a work implement is disclosed. The implement is connected to a work machine and is moveable in response to operation of a hydraulic cylinder. The apparatus includes an operator controlled joystick. A joystick position sensor senses the position of the joystick and responsively generates an operator command signal. An implement position sensor senses the position of the work implement and responsively produces an implement position signal. A microprocessor based controller receives the implement position and operator command signals, modifies the operator command signal, and produces an electrical valve signal in response to the modified operator command signal. An electrohydraulic valve receives the electrical valve signal, and controllably provides hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic cylinder in response to a magnitude of the electrical valve signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Catepillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia M. Gardner, Robert E. Stone, John D. Duffy, William E. Allen, James E. Schimpf
  • Patent number: 5699665
    Abstract: A pressure-responsive hydraulic control system (10) has a load-sensing flow-compensated pump (S) connected to a plurality of work sections; with a direction control valve (26, 26') and a pressure compensator valve in each work section; and with a flow-regulated logic check system (45); a flow-metered logic check system (40); an isolation circuit (60, 160, 260); and an induced load check system (70). Each pressure compensator valve is supplied flow-metered fluid from the respective direction control valve and supplies flow-regulated fluid to a hydraulic motor. The flow-regulated logic check system (45) provides a flow-regulated maximum output signal, and the flow-metered logic check system (40) provides a flow-metered maximum output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Commercial Intertech Corp.
    Inventor: Gregory T. Coolidge
  • Patent number: 5687568
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor system minimizes wasted power by using a plurality of fixed displacement hydraulic motors to drive a drive shaft in a cooperative manner. The motors are selectively switched into operation in response to variations in fluid pressure. As a consequence the hydraulic fluid acts upon a motor system having an effective combined displacement for producing a predetermined shaft rotation rate at the volumetric flow rate which caused the pressure condition. The invention is disclosed as having particular utility for driving a cooling fan for an automotive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Buschur
  • Patent number: 5680760
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for a construction machine includes a pump for delivering fluid under pressure from a fluid reservoir, at least one hydraulic actuator selectively driven by the pressurized fluid, and at least one closed-center directional control valve connected in parallel to the pump. The control valve has an "off" position which blocks fluid flow therethrough and at least one "on" position for controlling the flow of fluid to the hydraulic actuator. A control device generates a signal for actuation of the hydraulic actuator. A control unit receives the control device signal for operating the control valve associated with the hydraulic actuator. A bypass line leads from the pump back to the reservoir. A variable position bypass valve is interposed in the bypass line and controls flow through the bypass line. The control unit modulates the bypass valve for optimum operation. A hybrid control senses pressure in the actuator and modifies the control signal in response to the load pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen V. Lunzman
  • Patent number: 5673558
    Abstract: For enabling a boom to be smoothly raised during the triple combined operation of boom-up, arm-crowd and bucket-crowd in a hydraulic circuit system for a hydraulic excavator, in a first valve group of a hydraulic valve apparatus (12), a variable throttle valve (70) is installed in a feeder passage (32) of a bucket directional control valve (21) downstream of a load check valve (32a), and a secondary pressure C as a boom-up operation command is introduced through a line (71) to a pilot control sector (70a) of the variable throttle valve (70) which sector operates in the throttling direction, so that when the secondary pressure C is 0 or small, the variable throttle valve (70) is fully opened and, as the secondary pressure C increases, an opening area of the variable throttle valve (70) is reduced to restrict the flow rate of a hydraulic fluid supplied through the bucket directional control valve (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Genroku Sugiyama, Toichi Hirata, Koji Ishikawa, Tsukasa Toyooka, Tsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5666808
    Abstract: An operating valve assembly incorporates a pressure compensation valve and is capable of contributing down-sizing of a hydraulic circuit. The valve assembly includes an operating valve, compensation valves and a load pressure detecting portion. A valve body of the operating valve defines a spool bore extending laterally through the valve body at a vertically intermediate portion of the valve body, a load pressure detecting port at a laterally intermediate portion of the spool bore, and a respective pump port, actuator port and tank port at each side of the load pressure detecting port. The operating valve also includes a spool within the spool bore. The pressure compensation valves are arranged at left and right sides of an upper portion of the valve body and the load pressure detecting portion, for supplying load pressure to the load pressure detecting port, is formed in the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Teruo Akiyama, Kouji Saito, Shinichi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 5644915
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the movement of the ram of a press or press brake of the type having one or two main cylinders with pistons operatively attach to the ram. The control system comprises a programmable processor with inputs from a pressure transducer indicating the pressure applied to the one or two pistons and a linear potentiometer for each side of the ram to indicate ram position and levelness. The control system further includes a hydraulic circuit operated by outputs from the processor. The hydraulic circuit comprises a variable volume load sense-controlled pump supplying hydraulic fluid through a speed control assembly to a solenoid-actuated directional valve determining upward and downward movement of the ram. The speed control assembly comprises at least two lines connected to the output line of the pump and to the speed control assembly output line to the directional valve. At least one of the at least two speed control assembly lines is provided with a restricting orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Cincinnati, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul A. Dressing, Dean M. Valvano
  • Patent number: 5642616
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control system for hydraulic excavators includes a load sensing valve in communication with first and second pressure compensator valves via a load sensing line and responsive to a load sensing pressure developed in the load sensing line for regulating the discharge volume of a working fluid and a swing torque regulator lying midway of the load sensing line between the load sensing valve and the first pressure compensator valve to selectively allow and inhibit a fluid communication between the first pressure compensator valve and the load sensing valve depending on the pressure of a pilot fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee Woo Park
  • Patent number: 5579642
    Abstract: An improved pressure-compensated hydraulic system for feeding hydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic actuators. A remotely located, variable displacement pump provides an output pressure equal to input pressure plus a constant margin. A pressure compensation systems requires that a load-dependent pressure be provided to the pump input through a load sense circuit. A reciprocally spooled, multiported isolator transmits the load-dependent pressure to the pump input but prevents fluid in the load sense circuit from leaving the load sense circuit and flowing through a relatively long conduit leading to the remotely located pump. In a multi-valve array, at least one valve section has a backflow-preventing shuttle valve which prevents backflow through the pressure compensation system if a main relief valve is operative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raud A. Wilke, Eric P. Hamkins, Michael C. Layne, Leif Pedersen, Lynn A. Russell
  • Patent number: 5564455
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit (10) is disclosed for use in controlling a horizontal boring machine which requires hydraulic fluid under pressure for rotating a drill bit or backreamer through a rotation circuit and hydraulic fluid under pressure for thrusting the drill bit or backreamer within the bore hole through a thrust circuit. Pressures from both the thrust circuit and control circuit are combined through restrictors in a mixing zone or area (26). The control port of a diversion valve (32) is connected to mixing zone (26). When the combined pressure in the mixing zone exceeds the adjustable spring bias on the diversion valve, the diversion valve will open, diverting fluid from the thrust circuit to a low pressure zone. This will cause a reduction in the pressure in the rotation circuit as well. The reduction of both pressures will reduce the combined pressure in the mixing zone (26), causing the diversion valve to close and the pressures to increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Keating, George E. Strecker, Michael T. Teiga, Joe G. Worlow
  • Patent number: 5561978
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor system minimizes wasted power by using a plurality of fixed displacement hydraulic motors to drive a drive shaft in a cooperative manner. The motors are selectively switched into operation in response to variations in fluid pressure. As a consequence the hydraulic fluid acts upon a motor system having an effective combined displacement for producing a predetermined shaft rotation rate at the volumetric flow rate which caused the pressure condition. The invention is disclosed as having particular utility for driving a cooling fan for an automotive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Buschur
  • Patent number: 5560204
    Abstract: A compensation system for a hydraulic circuit of a hydraulically driven vehicle for straight traveling, with left and right traveling valves having load detection ports; left and right pressure compensation valves arranged in respective pressurized fluid supply passages between a fluid pressure source and the traveling valves; and a by-pass passage for connecting together the load pressure detecting ports of the left and right traveling valves. There may be an on-off valve in the by-pass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Ishihama, Kazunori Ikei
  • Patent number: 5546750
    Abstract: A control device provides a reliable way of pressure controlling a hydraulic distributor and an associated first hydraulic circuit when pressurized hydraulic fluid is simultaneously supplied to at least one other hydraulic circuit. Pilot pressure oil enters and exits the distributor through inlet and outlet passages in the pilot line. An apparatus for regulating pilot oil flow rate is interposed between the pilot line inlet passage and the hydraulic fluid line. The device includes a pressure head detection apparatus having inlet ends connected to the pilot line inlet passage and to the hydraulic circuit and an outlet end connected to the hydraulic fluid source for controlling the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid based on the highest pressure requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Rexroth-Sigma
    Inventor: Emmanuel Richer
  • Patent number: 5542251
    Abstract: A control and regulation device for a vehicle travel drive, which comprises two hydrostatic transmissions (3, 4) of adjustable transmission ratios, each comprising a hydraulic pump (12, 13) and a hydraulic motor (14, 15), which are in driving connection with two vehicle track arrangements (18, 19) and have each an adjustment device (30, 24; 31, 25) controllable with control signals (v.sub.l, v.sub.r) for adjusting the transmission ratio, with a control section comprising a desired-value setting apparatus (5) and a signal processing means (42, 43), whereby the desired-value setting means sets transmission ratio desired-values of each hydrostatic transmission, employing respective adjustable control levers (36, 37), and outputs desired-value signals (s.sub.l, s.sub.r), and the signal processing apparatus processes desired-value signals to control signals (s.sub.l, s.sub.r) and outputs the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Brueninghaus Hyodromatik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Leibing, Kai-Uwe Hansen, Reinhard Vonnoe
  • Patent number: 5535663
    Abstract: An operating valve assembly incorporates a pressure compensation valve and is capable of contributing down-sizing of a hydraulic circuit. The valve assembly includes an operating valve, compensation valves and a load pressure detecting portion. A valve body of the operating valve defines a spool bore extending laterally through the valve body at a vertically intermediate portion of the valve body, a load pressure detecting port at a laterally intermediate portion of the spool bore, and a respective pump port, actuator port and tank port at each side of the load pressure detecting port. The operating valve also includes a spool within the spool bore. The pressure compensation valves are arranged at left and right sides of an upper portion of the valve body and the load pressure detecting portion for supplying load pressure to the load pressure detecting port is formed in the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Teruo Akiyama, Kouji Saito, Shinichi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 5533334
    Abstract: A pressurized fluid supply system, in which a plurality of pressure compensation valves are connected to a pump discharge line of a hydraulic pump in parallel, and direction control valves are provided at the outlet side of each pressure compensation valve to supply a discharged pressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump to a plurality of actuators. The pressure compensation valves include a check valve portion establishing and blocking communication between the pump discharge line and the inlet port of the direction control valve, and a pressure reduction valve portion for supplying a reduced pressure from the pump discharge line. The check valve portion shifts in a valve opening direction in response to an inlet pressure and shifts in a valve closing direction in response to an outlet pressure. The pressure reduction valve portion has a first and a second pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masamitsu Takeuchi, Kazunori Ikei, Tadao Karakama, Mitsumasa Akashi, Teruo Akiyama, Jun Maruyama, Keisuke Taka
  • Patent number: 5493950
    Abstract: A variable priority device for a swing motor in heavy construction equipment including a variable orifice device installed in an arm cylinder-side parallel oil passage of an parallel oil passage for supplying oil pumped by a single pump to a swing motor and an arm cylinder, the variable orifice device serving to perform a switching operation between an orifice state and an orifice release state in response to a pilot pressure for moving the spool of a swing motor control switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 5481872
    Abstract: Simultaneous operation efficiency in a case where a plurality of actuators are operated by one or a plurality of hydraulic pumps is improved. A delivery pressure passage (1a) of one hydraulic pump (1) and that (1a) of the other hydraulic pump (1) communicate with each other through a first short-circuit passage (39) via a pair of check valves (38, 38), and an unload valve (40) is provided in this first short-circuit passage (39). The load pressure introduction passages (6, 6) on the left and right hydraulic pumps (1, 1) communicate with each other through a second short-circuit passage (36) via a pair of check valves (35, 35), and a relief valve (37) is provided in this short-circuit passage (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tadao Karakama, Teruo Akiyama, Kouji Yamashita, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 5477678
    Abstract: In a hydraulic circuit system, when pressurized oil discharged from a single hydraulic pump is supplied to a plurality of actuators: the pressurized oil is supplied to heavily-loaded ones of the actuators at gradually reducing flow rates to reduce a shock, while supplied to lightly-loaded ones of the actuators at gradually increasing flow rates to increase working speeds of these lightly-loaded actuators. The hydraulic circuit system comprises a plurality of directional control valves (2) one of which is provided with pressure-compensated flow control valves (18) each of which is provided with a load lead-in passage having a restriction means (R). In addition, further comprised in the system are: relief valves (22, 22) for relieving the pressurized oil under the influence of load pressure of the actuators (3) operated by the directional control valves (2); a restriction orifice (24) provided in a drain side of each of the relief valves so as to produce pressure therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Shirai, Terruo Akiyama, Shigeru Shinohara, Naoki Ishizaki, Takahide Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 5477677
    Abstract: A device for recovering energy, in particular potential energy in working machines, has a hydraulically actuatable working cylinder linked to a hydropneumatic storage. At least another working cylinder is provided. The two working cylinders are mutually linked by their rod end chambers to transfer fluid and are linked to a hydraulic circuit having at least one pump. The other working cylinder is also linked at its piston end chamber to a hydraulic circuit having a pump. The energy generated by the movements of the working machine can be effectively stored in a failure-proof manner and called back at defined moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Frantisek Krnavek
  • Patent number: 5471837
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is designed to permit the use of a plurality of small substantially identical existing valve assemblies in place of a lesser number of larger valve assemblies. In one embodiment, a first pair of variable displacement load sensing hydraulic pumps communicate with a manifold connected to a first valve assembly and another pair of variable displacement load sensing hydraulic pump communicate with a second manifold connected to second and third valve assemblies. A crossover conduit interconnects the manifolds so that fluid from all four pumps can be used by any one of the valve assemblies or shared by two or all three of the valve assemblies. In another embodiment, a third pair of variable displacement load sensing hydraulic pumps communicate with the first manifold 12 which also has another valve assembly connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Bianchetta